Herbs Highlights – Memory Herbs

Every edible garden needs its own herb patch and there’s plenty of herbs out there that are not only great for cooking with, but also have plenty of health benefits.

Brahmi is a perennial, creeping herb, native to the wetlands of India, Australia, Africa, Asia and parts of America.

This herb has been used for thousands of years in India in Ayurvedic medicine, to help improve concentration, stress, anxiety, mental fatigue and, most commonly, memory.

Brahmi is very easy to grow, can spread rapidly and is low maintenance and forgiving.

It can grow in a wide range of soils, ideally in part to full sun, and as long as it has sufficient water, it will thrive on rock, sand and mud. It will even grow directly in water features.

Brahmi is not a heavy feeder but will appreciate a little bit of slow release fertiliser.

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a creeping plant native to warm tropical climates and can be found growing wild around Australia.

It has a substance which increases collagen and improves circulation which all leads to healing wound, burns and helps reduce scarring. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, helping reduce the effects of arthritis.

Gotu Kola is said to have the ability to enhance memory and nerve function. Studies have shown that an extract of the herb had an effect on protecting brain cells from toxicity, giving it the potential to help treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Gotu Kola will grow just about anywhere as long as conditions are never dry. It works well near water or as a groundcover in shady areas.

It is an aggressive grower though, especially in warm, moist climates. So, if this is a concern, grow it in a pot.